t-5 or toploader?

April 12, 2009, 10:14:04 PM

I hate for it to come to this again. Everyone is junking there v-6 mustangs. Really makes my car feel old.

I found a toploader with the correct input and output, and it was behind a 68 cougar with "low" mileage. I also found two "new" 96-03 v6 transmissions out of mustangs. Both have rebuilt papers. One the guy has been selling for 3 months for $700 and then dropped to $550. The other one just got dropped to $400, but I can't seem to get any pictures out of him. He keeps telling me to come and get it.

I would like to do the toploader. So far I have done a whole 100 miles freeway in my tbird. None of them have been necessary. Just for fun on the weekends. I would like the availability of a 5 speed for the avalibility of parts. for the top loader, Everyone I have talked to said thats not a problem for anyone ever, except for the clutch. It would, more likely then not, out last the engine I will be pulling in it. I should also be able to re-sell either one without taking a huge loss.

Next month I will be getting 3 checks. I am going to use my first one next month to pay bills, and my last on this month to get parts. I have a rebuild motor with about 10 miles on it. I pulled it out of my last car when the transmission went out. Every one of these cars I have had issues with. And nothing is more fun then banging gears.

If I do the t-5, I can find the bellhousing. Top loader I would have to either order online, or buy an adaptar. Everything else I plan on buying new. I figure with the t-5, I will be looking at $550 to $700 for all parts. This will leave me enough to buy more gaskets, and all the internal H.O. stuff I am missing. I would really rather put both engine and tranny in at the same time. Maybe i will buy the transmission, which ever one I decide, and get all the parts I need and store it until I have alittle bit of extra cash.

t-5 or toploader?

Reply #1 – April 13, 2009, 12:24:52 AM

keep looking around for a t5 if thats what you want. I just picked up a t5,bell,fork,clutch/plate,hurst shifter, firewall adjuster, adjustable cable. might be forgettin something for 400.

t-5 or toploader?

Reply #2 – April 13, 2009, 03:49:33 AM

I've got a t5 from my TC...I'm not gonna do anything with it since I got a V8 t5 with all those parts I bought awhile back...

t-5 or toploader?

Reply #3 – April 13, 2009, 07:14:04 AM

Be patient and don't get in a hurry.Wait for the T-5 and affiliated parts.When you get in a hurry,you end up spending more in the long run for what you wanted less.A T-5 would be a lot better for cruising as well.The parts and deals are out there,you just have to find them.

t-5 or toploader?

Reply #4 – April 13, 2009, 09:38:18 PM

I'm gonna put my argument in here. If you arent planning on making big power, go for the t5. If you want 500+ go for the toploader, you wont regret it. I'm putting nearly 700hp through my toploader with 44 year old syncros(all the gears got changed out because it was a close ratio and it didnt like my truck, lol) and it still shifts like butter. I did twist the small input around 500rwhp but it didnt break.